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“The fairy folded her golden wines round Lischen.^’ 


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CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY 

Ksici^en auti ti^e faiT^. 


There were a great many secrets going on in the Von 
Gluckstein family, which consisted of the Captain and his 
wife and their four children — Fritz, Ernst, Gertrude and 
Lischen. Fritz and Erilst had long consultations over their 
tool-box : when one of their sisters came near, they started 
apart and began talking of the weather or the skating. 
Gertrude, or Trudie, as she was generally called, watched 
her opportunity when the boys were out, to bring forward 
a scarf, or a cap she was knitting under her mother’s direc- 
tions. Lischen, a chubby little maiden of five or six years 
old, thought herself quite hidden and unobserved if she 
turned her back to the rest of the company, so sat on hei 
own little chair, threading her beads or struggling to hem 
a coloured pocket-handkerchief, heedless of the smothered 
giggles of her brothers and sister. Christmas Eve was very 
near, and everybody was getting excited and expectant. The 
Captain and his wife, aided by her sisters and one or two 
lieutenants, who dropped in after tea, would sit round the 
table, busily engaged in gilding walnuts, preparing the little 
candles, apples, sweetmeats, and other things, which they 
hung on the boughs of a tall fir-tree, with coloured ribbons 
and gold cord. 


6 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


“ Dear papa, will you take me to the toy-shop this after- 
noon?” coaxed Trudie. 

"Take you to the toy-shop — what for? Fve no money 
to spend there,” answered the Captain, pulling his long 
moustache. 

" But I have ; and I want to buy a present for Lischen 



But please don’t say a word to her, dear little father,” said 

Trudie, who had to stand on tip-toe and draw her father’s 

tall head down, to whisper this in his ear. 

“ Oh, that is different, if you are to spend the money. 

I don’t mind taking you, only I am going out in ten minutes, 
so hurry yourself, my little one.” 

Trudie ran off and soon returned, ready. 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


7 


“ Now then, forwards !” said the Captain, fastening on his 
sword, and clanking down the staircase. 

“ There is Captain von Gluckstein with his little daughter. 
She will be as pretty as her mother was when she was a 
bride !” said the passers-by, as they bowed to or saluted the 
tall, handsome officer, and smiled at the sweet little face of 
Gertrude, whose blue eyes shone with pleasure as she grasped 
her tiny purse in her hand, and thought of the beautiful doll 
she would buy for her little sister, with the two marks her 
grandmother had given her the day before, to spend as she 
liked best 

Once in the shop, the difficulty was to choose. There 
were so many, and such pretty ones ! Trudie fell in love 
first with one that cost five marks ; then a blue-eyed one, 
rather like Lischen herself, took her fancy, but that was also 
more than her means would allow. At last she found one 
that pleased her, and that she could afford, and had even 
some pfennigs over to buy it a pair of shoes, to her great 
delight, as she felt those would be quite beyond her powers 
of making. The doll’s costume consisted only of a pair of 
earrings and a pink paper garment, so Gertrude would have 
to make her clothes. How happy she felt as she clasped the 
precious paper parcel in her arms, feeling quite a motherly 
pride and pleasure in her purchase, when she showed it to 
her mother! Frau von Gluckstein admired the flaxen ringlets 
and wide open blue eyes of the doll. 

“ Isn’t she lovely ? I think her so much like Lischen ; 
and so did papa,” exclaimed Trudie. “And now I can keep 
my darling old Cunigonda !” 

“Why, did you intend to part with her?” enquired her 
mother, in surprise. 


4 





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i 

* 







“ At last she found one that pleased her.” 


Page 7. 



I 


k 


i ^ tt 



CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


9 


"Yes, I had no money left to buy a nice present for 
Lischen, and I knew she wished for a doll, so I was going 
to give her Cunigonda ; but now I need not, and Lischen 
will like this one better.” 

Frau von Gluckstein kissed the round pink cheek of her 
generous little daughter, saying — 

“ But, my dearest, you must make some clothes for this 
young person. I think I have a piece of blue cashmere that 
will make her a lovely frock. Come and see.” 

Trudie followed her mother, who turned out her work- 
table drawer, and discovered all that was necessary to make 
the doll’s costume. So Trudie sat at work while Lischen 
was out, or after she had gone to bed, and, with her mother’s 
help, the doll was most beautifully dressed, in time for 
Christmas Eve, without its existence, even, having been 
discovered by Lischen. Trudie confided it to her mother 
to place on the table with all the other presents. 

At last the long-wished-for Christmas Eve had come. 
What laughing, and chattering, and whispering went on in 
the drawing-room, which was only dimly lighted ! Everyone 
was in expectation. The two lieutenants and the aunts 
wondered aloud what could be happening behind those closed 
doors, and why it was that mother was not ready to receive 
them. 

Then Aunt Sophie began a pretty German chorale, or 
hymn, and all joined in. Just as the last sweet notes died 
away, the folding-doors were thrown open, and a most 
beautiful Christmas-tree was disclosed to the company. 

Numbers of little flags, lighted candles, golden nuts, 
apples, variegated bags of bon-bons hung from its branches, 
and made a blaze of light and colour. On the top of the 


lO CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 

tall, brilliantly-lighted tree was the figure of a fairy with 
golden wings, dressed in gauzy white muslin. In one tiny 
hand she held a wand, which pointed towards the table, 
heavily laden with presents. 



Ach ! Wunderschdn ! Himlisch ! Pyramidal !” (this last 
exclamation from a lieutenant) cried the different voices. 

Did the fairy bring them all asked little Lischen 
in an awestruck whisper, when her brothers succeeded in 
making her turn her wondering blue eyes from the fairy 
which fascinated her, to the table-load of presents. 

“Ah, who knows.?” said Fritz, laughing. “Look, Lischen 
there is your name on that heap !” 



CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. H 

Lischen ran to look, and found so many delightful 
surprises she did not know which to admire most. But the 
doll was soon hugged in her little fat arms, and Trudie felt 



quite as happy as Lischen when she saw the love and 
gratitude in her little sisters face on hearing who had given 
it to her; and Trudie’s work was admired by everyone. The 
pale blue frock, and the petticoat edged with lace, and the 
beautiful hat with pink ribbons, all enchanted Lischen, who 
would not put her treasure out of her arms the whole evening. 


12 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


Ernst and Fritz flushed with joy and pride when the 
fretwork frames and carved umbrella handles, all their own 
handiwork, were admired by father and mother. 



No one was forgotten. Katrine, the old Amme, or nurse, 
who had come in from her native village in her picturesque 
Black Forest costume, nearly cried with joy when Lischen, 
the last baby she had nursed, gave her a pocket-handkerchief 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


13 


she had hemmed, and Trudie presented her with a knitted 
scarf. Even the cat was presented with a beautiful new ribbon 
and a tinkling bell for her collar. 

“ See now, how happy all these children are !” observed 
Lieutenant von Walden, twisting his long fair moustache. 
‘‘ Half the fun has been in making and preparing the presents 
themselves. My little cousins have everything bought for 
them straight out of the shop, and half-an-hour after, the 
toys are tossed aside, and they are quarrelling and fighting.” 

“Yes, riches don’t always bring happiness,” said Aunt 
Ermine, stroking Lischen’s flaxen curls as the little one, 
almost tired out with excitement and pleasure, rested her 
head against her aunt’s knee. 

“ No, indeed, love brings that more than anything else,” 
replied the lieutenant, softly ; “ and that can’t be bought at 
any price.” 

“ What a happy night Christmas Eve is in our country ; 
how many homes are full of joy and gladness to-night ! 
I should like to be a fairy and peep in at some,” said Ermine, 
smiling. 

“ You would not see anything better than here, I am 
sure! /, at least, would not be anywhere else,” answered 
the young officer, as he looked admiringly at the sweet fair 
face bending over the child. 

“Poor little Lischen is so sleepy,” said Ermine. “I will 
take her to bed.” 

“ Let me carry her,” begged Von Walden, lifting the 
weary little figure in his strong arms. Lischen opened her 
blue eyes dreamily to catch one last look of the lovely fairy, 
as her bearer crossed the room, his spurs clanking, and 
handed her over to the maid. 





*‘‘Poor little Lischen is so sleepy/ 


Page 13. 







CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


15 


She was too tired to talk much, and was soon tucked! 
up in the little white bed, her precious Christmas gifts 
beside her, the new doll on the bed ; while the sound of 
the merry voices and the dance music, and the tinkling of 
the sleigh-bells in the street, mingled in her dreams. 



When her mother came in to peep at her darling, Lischen 
was sleeping soundly — the red lips parting in a happy smile 
the flaxen hair tossed on the pillow, a sweet flush on the 
little cheeks, and the round white limbs uncovered. The 
mother drew the bed-clothes over her and kissed her very 
gently, not to awaken her. Lischen slept on peacefully, and 
all the house was still. 


i6 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


All at once the fairy from the Christmas-tree stood at her 
bed-side, its golden wings folded. 

“ Lischen,” it murmured softly, “ would you like to come 
with me and see more homes ?” 

“Yes,” answered Lischen, jumping out of bed in a 
moment; “but I can’t dress myself!” 

“ Never mind, you shall come under my wing,” and the 
fairy folded her golden wings round Lischen, who at first 
thought the gold would feel rather hard and cold, but it 
was deliciously warm and soft, like the pretty white fur jacket 
her father had given her. 

They stepped into a beautiful little sleigh, in the shape 
of a swan. The seats were all covered with downy white 
feathers. The fairy took hold of the shining silver reins, 
and away started the two milk-white ponies at full gallop, 
the bells tinkling merrily. 

“ Where are we going ?” asked Lischen. 

“ Y ou will see,” said the fairy. They drove on through 
the forest, and stopped before a small cottage. Lischen and 
the fairy went inside. A toddling mite of about three years 
old, ready for bed, in his little night-gown, was putting his 
shoe by the chimney. Lischen remembered old Katrine had 
told her that the children in her village did so at Christmas- 
time, in case the Christkind might come down the chimney 
and leave something for good children. 

“Ach, mein Kleine, we are too poor!” said the mother, 
smiling, as she put the child to bed. But the elder brother 
showed her a doll he had cut out of a piece of wood, and 
had painted its face with ink. The mother found a piece of 
stuff, which she made into a frock, and the toy was placed 
in the little shoe. Lischen was amused to see the joy with 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. I7 

which the hideous doll was hugged and kissed by the child, 
his eyes sparkling with delight, while the elder brother was 
as pleased as if he himself had received a handsome present. 
Lischen felt quite sorry to leave this happy little family, but 



the fairy led her out, and they journeyed on to a big castle. 
Here the fairy stopped the sleigh again, and they looked in 
through the window of a large, handsomely-furnished room, 
in which were three children, a boy and two girls. The boy 
was mounted on a large rocking-horse, that Lischen remem- 


1 8 CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 

bered seeing in the fine toy-shop in the Haupt-strasse. Often 
had Fritz told her long stories of the doings of this horse ; 
it seemed quite like an old friend. 

Why, it is Ritter !” she exclaimed. “ I hope they will 
treat him kindly; if not, he will gallop away in the night, 
and go back to his home in the shop.” 

“ Listen,” said the fairy. 

“ Now, Waldemar, let me have a ride,” said one of the 
little sisters. 

“No, indeed, he is mine; go and play jmth your stupid 
dolls,” said the boy, lashing into his steed till Lischen was 
nearly in tears. 

“ Y ou are a selfish, disagreeable thing,” said the girl 
frowning, and giving him a push. 

“ Take care, Hilda, or I will ride over you,” said the boy, 
rocking his horse so violently that it tipped over, and 
Waldemar went flying over its head. Both the sisters 

laughed heartily at this adventure, and Waldemar, getting 
up with a face crimson with rage, ran at Hilda with his 
whip, while the horse remained standing on its head. Hilda, 
who was holding a large wax doll in her arms, screamed 
and ran away, not looking where she was going. She caught 
her foot in the carpet, tripped, and fell into the middle of 
a splendid farmyard her sister was setting up on the floor. 
Alas ! the doll’s head went flying in one direction and 

her body in another, while the chickens and sheep of 

the farmyard were crushed under Hilda’s weight. Hilda 
scrambled up, trampling on the trees and animals, and 

flew at her brother in a rage, for he was now laughing 
loudly* Minna, the other sister, rushed at Hilda, and all 
were scolding, fighting, screaming, and pulling each other's 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. Iq 

hair, when the door opened, and a severe, cross-looking 
person entered. 

“ Ach, you tiresome children ! Always fighting and always 
naughty, even at Christmas-time, when your parents have 
sent you such beautiful presents from Berlin. What would 
they say if they saw how you have broken and destroyed 



them already.^” she scolded, pulling the children apart and 
shaking them soundly She placed them all on chairs in 
opposite corners to each other, threatening if they moved 
from them before she gave them permission, that she would 
send them all to bed for the rest of the day, and give them 
no supper. 

The children sat with red, sulky faces and tangled hair 


20 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


relieving their feelings by making grimaces at each other 
when the nurse was not looking. 

“ Come,” said the fairy, ‘‘ we don’t care to stay here any 



longer,” and on they flew, over the roofs of the houses in the 
town, the stars shining brightly over their heads. 

They stopped at a big house with a courtyard and many 
windows, draped with rich silken curtains. 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


21 


“ Here lives the little Ida von Steinherz/’ said the fairy. 
Lischen peeped in, and saw a pretty little girl sitting 
before her dressing-table, leaning over a book full of pictures 



and stories, while the maid was trying to put on her lovely 
evening frock, all pink satin and lace. 

Liebes Frauleinr said the maid, entreatingly, “do let me 
arrange your toilette ; you will not be ready in time to receive 
your guests.” 

“Then my guests must wait.” 


22 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


Lischen saw such a cold, haughty expression on the 
child’s face, that it took away all her beauty. 

‘‘But the gracious lady, your mother, has given me per- 
mission to go and see my poor father this evening, while you 
have your party; and I shall not have time to get there,” 
entreated the servant 

“ Bah ! why should I trouble about your affairs, Anna } 
You do nothing but disturb me. I sjiall finish my reading 
when I choose.” 

“ She has no heart, and no one will love her,” murmured 
the maid, tears coming into her eyes as she stood waiting 
till the little lady tossed aside the book, and allowed herself 
to be dressed. Then she tripped into the brilliantly-lighted 
saloon, where many children were assembled. They soon 
began to dance and have games, but Ida always wanted to 
have everything her own way, till the other children grew 
tired of her, and left her to play alone. Ida was very angry, 
and declared they were all disagreeable, selfish things, 
and she would not have them to come to her parties any 
more. 

“ That’s no great matter,” said her cousin, Karl ; “if you 
do not make yourself pleasant to your guests, they will not 
come to you, even if you ask them. Nobody loves you, Ida, 
not even your little dog, because you do not love anyone 
but yourself, and never try to give pleasure to anyone. That 
is not the way to be happy, I tell you, and some day you 
will find it out and be sorry.” 

Ida looked very vexed, and said, “You think yourself 
very clever, Karl, because you are big and tall, and go to the 
University; but I don’t care for what you say.” 

Karl only laughed at this, which made Ida angrier than 


t 





‘Nobody loves you, Ida.’ 




Page 22 



24 CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 

before, and she sat down in an armchair all by herself, 
looking very cross and unhappy. 

“Will she be kind some day enquired Lischen, anxiously. 

“ Perhaps, if she listens to Karl, who tells her the truth,” 
said the fairy; “and though he seems to blame her more 
than anyone else does — for $he is an only child, and rather 
spoilt— he is really fond of his little cousin, and thinks her 
selfishness comes more because she is spoilt than from a bad 
heart.” 

Lischen felt more comforted at this, and said, “ You talk 
like my Itebe mamma, fairy.” And they journeyed on, to peep 
into yet another house. 

“Oh, what a noise!” cried Lischen, as they entered a 
small, plainly-furnished room. Six rosy, blue-eyed children 
were having a splendid game. They had harnessed their 
father — a tall, thin man, with long hair and spectacles — to 
a big armchair. Two boys sat on each of the arms, and 
two were perched on the back ; another acted coachman, and 
a fair-haired little girl sat in state in the middle. When they 
were tired of this game, the father went on the ground on 
all-fours, and the children clambered on his back, and called 
him their dear big bear. The boys always gave their little 
sister the best place, and were very gentle and kind, full of 
fun and good temper. There were no toys, but the children 
did not seem to need any. They played horses with a bit 
of rope, made houses, carriages and boats out of the chairs 
and a cave of the table. Some would hide, pretending to 
be robbers or wolves, and the others were travellers to be 
attacked. Their great treat was that the father and mother 
joined in their games, and, when she brought in a large cake 
she had made for their Christmas feast, and showed them 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


25 


the little tree she had decorated with a few lights and some 
gingerbread figures, and a small heap of apples and nuts in 
a basket beneath it, they danced about in glee, and threw 
their arms round her till she was nearly smothered with 
kisses. 

The fairy stayed some time here, and Lischen did not 
wish to leave this merry family, being amused with the droll 



sayings of tne boys and the wonderful games they invented, 
but the fairy whispered — 

“Come, we must go to more homes.” 

This time they walked up a broad staircase, covered with 
soft velvet carpets, and opened a door leading into a large 
saloon hung round with beautiful pictures. A long table was 
at one end. covered with warm clothes, toys, and presents of 



26 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


all kinds ; and a lovely Christmas-tree, like Lischen*s own, 
only even larger and more beautiful, was lighted up. Three 
girls, in pure white dresses and golden hair flowing over their 
shoulders, stood at the table. 

“The tallest is IJke Aunt Ermine,” said Lischen. 

A number of little children, with pale, thin faces and 
ragged clothing, were crowded together, their eyes wide 
open at this wonderful sight. The three girls went forward 
and led each child to the table, giving it a warm coat 
or cloak, a toy, and some cakes. How the little pale 
cheeks flushed and the eyes sparkled as they examined their 
presents ! 

“ Thank you, thank you, kind ladies ! God bless you, 
and send you all happiness !” called out the children. 

The three sisters next called the children into the dining- 
hall, where a feast was prepared, and coffee, cakes, and plenty 
of milk for the little ones. Lischen was amused to see how 
they all curtseyed demurely, and said, “ Good evening, and 
thank you !” walking soberly to the door, and then scampered 
away to their homes to show their presents, like so many 
little mice running to their holes. 

Do let us go after them, and see their homes,” said 
Lischen, as they mounted again into the little silver sleigh. 
The ponies nodded their heads, as if in answer, and started 
off, through the town, into the narrow, dark streets of a poor 
neighbourhood. 

‘‘ I have been here once before, with mamma,” said 
Lischen. 

They entered the door of a tall house, and climbed a 
long, narrow stair, quite up into the roof. In a garret, before 
a small stove, sat a group of ragged little children, huddled 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 27 

together for warmth : for the few sticks in the stove gave 
out scarcely any heat. 

“Where can Pauline be, I wonder?** said a little pale 



girl, with big dark eyes. “I wish she would come back. I 
can’t make baby stop crying. He is cold, although I have 
wrapped him up in my skirt.” 


28 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


“ I daresay he is hungry, like the rest of us,” answered 
the boy, searching his pockets in hopes of finding something ; 
but alas ! he had done so too often, and nothing was to be 
found. 

The baby cried piteously, and Lischen nearly cried too 
to think she had nothing to give them. The little pale girl 
rocked the baby in her thin arms, and sang softly, which 
seemed to soothe the little thing, for he put his thumb in his 
mouth, and sucked away contentedly. 

Presently the door opened, and in rushed a girl about 
eleven or twelve years old, with flushed cheeks and sparkling 
eyes. 

“ Look, children,” she exclaimed, “ here are cakes, and a 
warm cloak! You know I took home that work Frau Meister 
had given me to do. Well, she said she could not pay me 
just yet, for Christmas was such an expensive time, and she 
only gave me a few pfennigs to buy some milk for baby, 
as I told her we had nothing to give him ; and I was coming 
home so sadly, thinking how hungry we .should all be. But 
eat, little ones; I want nothing, and I can tell you all about 
it,” she broke off, taking the baby and pouring some milk 
in a cup for him. The little brother and sister began to eat 
the cakes ravenously, while they gazed wonderingly at their 
sister. 

“Well, I was passing the palace there, and saw a number 
of children going in — not rich children, but ragged, like us. 
I stood there watching them, and the porter called to me, 
and said — 

‘‘ Go in too, little one, if you are hungry and cold so 
in I went, trembling with fear. But oh, it was so beautiful, 
I longed to come back and fetch you all, but I was afraid 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


29 


all would be over before we could get back! So I followed 
with the rest, into a lovely room all crimson silk and gold ; 
and there were three young ladies, beautiful as angels. I 



thought I must be in heaven ! They gave me this nice warm 
cloak, and then we went to a big table and I had some 
coffee, and was slipping the cakes into my frock to bring 


30 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


home, when a rude boy called out that I was taking more 
than my share. Then one of the ladies came and asked me 
why I did not eat my cake, and I felt so shy and frightened 
I dare not answer. But she spoke so gently, that I had 
couragd to look up, and her eyes were so kind, I felt my 
heart full, and I nearly cried when I told her I had two 
little brothers and a sister at home who were hungry. Then 
she bade me eat, and gave me these for you, and to-morrow 
I am to go again for more ; and she took my name, and 
said she would try and get some work for us. Hans, you 
will be able to earn some money, perhaps.” 

“ Ah, the Christkind has not forgotten us, after all !* 
cried the little sister. 

The baby had enjoyed his food, and now slept peacefully 
in the elder sister’s arms, while they all sat round, close to 
the stove, and talked of the Wonderful things they would do 
when Pauline and Hans got work to do. 

“Have they no father nor mother.?” asked Lischen. 

“ No,” answered the fairy. “ They are orphans, and, if it 
had not been that Pauline is a kind, good girl, and followed 
all the advice that I whispered in her ears, they would have 
been still more miserable, like those wretched little beggars 
you saw in the street yesterday.” 

“But does Pauline know you?” enquired Lischen, much 
astonished. 

“Yes; in fact, I have been her only comfort since her 
mother died, some months ago, and left Pauline to supply 
her place to the little ones. Hans is a good boy, and brings 
home all the money he can earn by holding horses, running 
messages, or helping to put on skates. He considers himself 
the father of the family.” 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 3 1 

“And what do you whisper in Pauline’s ear?” asked 
Lischen. 

“ I tell her to work hard to be able to buy milk and 
bread for the little ones, and always to speak kindly to 
them, even if they are cross and fretful ; to put aside the 
soup for Hans, even if she is hungry herself; and to try and 
remember all her mother told her, how to take care of the 
baby, and to give up her own petticoat or frock to make 
clothes for him and little Lena.” 

“ Does she see you ?” 

“ No, she cannot see me, but she hears and understands 
what I say; and I comfort her heart and make her forget 
the cold and misery.” 

“ Did you tell her to go to the palace to-night 

“ I guided her steps that way and encouraged her to 
forget her fear, and I whispered to the pretty, fair lady to 
notice her ; and now they wiU be helped,” 

“ Oh, I am so glad !” exclaimed little Lischen, nestling 
closer to the sweet fairy. 

“ Now,” said the fairy, “ I must say goodbye to you ; but 
I shall not be far from you, for yours is one of the homes 
where I like to stay, and I am very seldom driven away.” 

“ Driven away !” exclaimed Lischen. “ I am sure we 
should never drive you away.” 

“ Do you know what drives me away ? I will tell you,’’ 
said the fairy. “ Cross looks and words, quarrelling, and, 
most of all, selfishness. I cannot stay where these things 
are ; they hurt me, and in time they would kill me. Even 
in your house, sometimes, but not otten, I hear hasty words 
and see tears and frowns, but I soon return when I see 
sorrow and regret, and hearty kisses to make friends.” 


32 


CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 


“ But I have never seen you !” said Lischen, in much 
astonishment. 

“ No. , In the dwellings where I am, all is happiness and 
joy, whether the people are high or lowly, rich or poor. I 
brighten the poorest cottage, and make them happier homes 
than the richest mansions where I am not found, for my 
name is — Love^ 

“ Love ! Oh, do not go ! Stay with me always,” cried 
Lischen, stretching out her arms towards the lovely fairy, 
whose golden wings were bearing her away, up, farther and 
farther, till Lischen, in distress, woke up, to see her mother’s 
gentle face bending over her. 

“ My darling,” she was saying, “ it is time to get up. 
Were you dreaming V' 

“ Oh, mamma, the fairy is gone ! Love has gone — flown 
away !” 

Love gone.? No, my dearest, it shall never leave us.” 

“Ah, no — but we cannot see her any more,” said Lischen, 
gazing at her mother with grave, blue eyes. 

“ See her .? No, but we will keep her safe and warm in 
our hearts, little one. But tell me what you have been 
dreaming .?” 

Lischen told her wonderful dream, and Trudie thought it 
such a nice one, that she wrote it all down in case any other 
little children might like to hear it 





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